关键词: 滑石印, 分型特征, 功能探析, 考古类型学

Abstract:

Talc seals excavated from Han tombs in Hunan exhibit marked differences in material composition, formal structure, engraving techniques, and user demographics when compared to contemporary official and private seals prevalent during the same period. This paper takes 94 Han Dynasty talc seals unearthed in Hunan as a research sample, integrating data on seal impressions, deciphered inscriptions, excavation sites, chronological phases of tombs, and formal configurations. Employing interdisciplinary methodologies from archaeology, philology, and art history, it conducts typological statistical analysis by quantifying metrics such as the width of carving traces (i.e., stroke widths in seal impressions) and the proportional ratio of seal script to clerical script strokes. The study explores their morphological characteristics and functional attributes (seal functions, funerary functions, and decorative functions), explicitly proposing three fundamental typologies (A, B, and C), while incorporating “intermediate types” into the discourse to establish clear classificatory criteria and quantitative indicators. This endeavor aims to furnish further reference for scholarly inquiries in related disciplines.

Key words: Talc Seals, Typological Characteristics, Functional Analysis, Archaeological Typology